Lip builder

ABSTRACT

Presented is a new and revolutionary device for exercising the facial muscles and lips. It&#39;s simplistic in that it is finger and hand operated and uses a clothespin like action, pivoting over an axle, with a closing return spring to exercise the facial muscles and lips. The control of the Lip Builder is unique in that the user can do a full range of motion resistance exercises or hold a steady pressure against the resisting lips for isometric exercises, or one may vary the pressure against the lips as you exercise with a full range of motion thereby doing an isotonic exercise. Its handles are designed at an angle for the user to create a pulling away action from the gums to avoid any discomfort upon exercising and an opening is left upon fully closing the Lip Builder to avoid the user pinching his or her lips.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the facial muscles and more specifically, the lips. This oral apparatus invention is a facial exercising device. It relates to the facial lips and lower facial muscles. It's a facial and lip muscle tissue toning and strengthening device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of dollars are spent each year on appearances. People constantly judge each other by their looks. The average expenditure for a one stop cosmetic purchase as of this date is currently $80.00, thus supporting the idea that looks are very important to the populous.

It is also a known fact that health and exercising clubs have become very popular in America with objectives for looking muscular and or shapely.

Exercising the facial muscles is no exception. Clubs are now forming facial exercising classes. Facial exercises strengthen the facial muscles, and bring back blood-flowing nutrients which reduce the effects of oxidation to the facial tissue. Being healthy and having the right appearance has become very popular in today's world.

Unfortunately, growing old comes with a denigration to the body as well as the facial muscles. When our muscles begin to atrophy, as a result of aging, the skin begins to sag because of this lack of support under our facial skin. When our muscles lose tone, cellular health and circulation, this causes a lack of oxygen. This lack of oxygen slows down the receiving of nutrients from the blood and can result in a lack of collagen and elastin protein for the skin cells. Then a wrinkle is born. Additionally, when calcium is lost through re-absorption, especially in women due in part to the effects of the menstrual years, particularly around the mouth, then the mouth area begins to look sunken in like a witch caricature. The skin begins to slacken even more, producing vertical lines around the lips. This lack of circulation and bone or cartilage loss around the mouth as a result of aging, poor nutrition and lack of proper exercising can cause muscles to atrophy, leaving loose and wrinkled skin behind. As people age even their facial subcutaneous fat is reduced, thus allowing for more sagging and wrinkling of the facial skin especially the mouth and lip area of the face.

Exercising the facial muscles, especially around the lips, will help tone up the muscles that support the facial skin and reduce wrinkles.

There has become a great need for the Lip Builder. It's universal for every mouth size and offers resistance, isotonic and isometric exercises to the lips for strengthening, and toning the lip muscles which helps keep them from wrinkling. It is self adjusting to any mouth size because of the pivoting action of the Lip Builder. The resistance also varies according to the pressure of the resistance of the users' fingers and hand. This invention provides an improved means to exercise lips with resistance exercises, isometric and isotonic exercises. Its hand operated with a pivoting point of action and is designed for the esthetics-cosmetic industry but could be applied to the medical industry if one so desires to use it in that forum. It is easily placed between the lips for its exercising benefits moving in a vertical motion as opposed to a lateral exercising movement. It is made of a hard, smooth plastic, which makes cleaning simple but effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a facial exerciser is provided which substantially eliminates or reduces problems associated with prior apparatus.

The Lip Builder opens with the resistance of operators' hand and fingers. The mouth piece end of the Lip Builder is placed between your lips and in front of the teeth as you keep your teeth touching, lightly closed. Upon pressing the opposite end of the Lip Builder with your fingers and hand, resistance is offered to the lips forcing them to open by a pivoting action. You exercise your lips by closing and opening the lips according to the desired resistance of your fingers pressing the opposite end of the Lip Builder. Upon completing the exercises, a return spring returns the Lip Builder back to it closed position. This device offers a combination of exercises. You can do isometric oral lip exercises, isotonic oral lip exercises, as well as resistance oral lip exercises. It is self adjusting to any adult mouth size because of the pivoting action of the Lip Builder. As a hand and finger held apparatus, resistance can be applied with variations of pressure and resistance by using the fingers and hand of the operator. It's universal for every adult mouth size and offers resistance and isotonic and or isometric exercises to the lips for strengthening the lip muscles and help keeping them from wrinkling as the underlining lip muscles begin to tone and build up. Although the Lip Builder was designed for the esthetic-cosmetic industry, it could also be used in the medical arena by facial trainers if he so desired.

The facial exerciser of the invention includes two basic parts . . . the bottom and the top with a pivoting point between the two parts. On one end of the device the operator holds it with one hand squeezing together the upper and lower parts causing the opposite end to spread apart like a clothespin and consequently placing pressure against the lips by opening them apart vertically from each other. The part that goes between the lips is shaped like the contours of lips for comfort, ease of operation and is made out of hard, smooth plastic. It's this end that is placed into the mouth between the lips in front of teeth and is respectively slightly curved following the contours of the teeth and the lips for comfort. The resistance is offered by closing the lips against the pressure of the operators hand and fingers as he squeezes together the opposite end of the Lip Builder. In this manner, the facial muscles are exercised by the resistance to the expansion of the facial exerciser by the compression of the fingers and hand of the operator. By closing the jaw and teeth slightly upon exercising with the lip exerciser, the Lip Builder isolates the oral lips for vertical, resistance, isotonic and isometric exercises.

It's made of medical grade Poly Propylene or any equal rigid plastic with a smooth uninterrupted surface area.

PRIOR ART

Several other listed patents have demonstrated disadvantages when compared to the Lip Builder: Finger and hand operation have not been demonstrated. U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,176 issued Feb. 4, 2003 to Jewellita F. Norton is an example of a lip exerciser with a substantially rigid annular exercising assembly which is sized and shaped so as to fit between the users' lips but uses an isometric method of exercising as apposed to the Lip Builder which offers resistance, isotonic and isometric exercises. Other similar lip exercising patents have demonstrated lip exercises using several methods of resistance from springs, elastic bands, pliable mouth shaped material and bendable flat metal stock as opposed to hand and finger resistance as this invention offers. Another uses mouth and lip shaped material with a flat band-like spring for resistance that doesn't require the use of finger or hand operation as the source of resistance as does the Lip Builder. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,164,458 issued Jul. 4, 1939 to William Lowell Jacobson which illustrates a band-like spring for resistance and U.S. Pat. No. 1,851,865 issued to Peter George Ptacek, on Mar. 29, 1932. However, his patent offers a variable spring resistance apparatus. Both forementioned patents do not demonstrate hand and finger resistance exercises as does the Lip Builder.

There is an entire host of lip exercising patents that offer lip exercises using a horizontal exercising movement as apposed to the Lip Builder which exercises lips using a vertical exercising motion. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 7,662,066, issued to Yolanda Carmen Ferrara on Feb. 16, 2010 reflects horizontal exercises for the lips without the use of the hands and fingers for resistance as does the Lip Builder.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,260, issued to Horst Buckner, on Jun. 9, 1987 represents a horizontal and vertical lip exercising device very similar to U.S. Pat. No. 7,662,066 listed above but with the use of elastic bands for resistance as apposed to the Lip Builder which uses a hand and finger resistant operation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,260 does not claim resistance, isotonic and isometric training exercises as does this invention, the Lip Builder.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,061,936 issued to Charles Engelfried on November 1936 is an example of a patent exercising the lips in a vertical action using a spring and screw as an adjustment for resistance as apposed to the Lip Builder which uses a hand and finger resistant operation. U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,986 issued to Albert Tiberio on Nov. 14, 2006 is an example of a similar patent that uses coil springs as resistance exercising the lips in a horizontal motion as appose to the Lip Builder which use the hand and fingers as a resistance in a vertical exercising motion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,696 issued Jul. 28, 1981 to Yoav Raman uses a vertical motion exercise for the jaw as apposed to the lips as does the Lip Builder. Said patent also uses a torque spring which can convert into a flat spring for resistance as apposed to the Lip Builder which uses the operator's hand and fingers for resistance.

The previous mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,696 offers a pivoting action without the use of hand and fingers for operation. Instead, aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,696 exercises the facial muscles by using the teeth and jaw muscles for operation of the motion. The Lip Builder uses the pressure of the lips to close and exercise against the resistance of the operators' hand and fingers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,471 issued Mar. 20, 2001 to Yoshiake Akihiro is a rehabilitating device for chewing, swallowing and speaking and is made of a resilient synthetic resin as apposed to the Lip Builder which is made of hard polypropylene material and is designed for lip exercising purposes for the esthetic industry using a hand and fingers as the operating source as apposed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,471 which uses the resistance of resilient synthetic resin like rubber or silicone or polyethylene resin material with an optional assemblies as a leaf spring or pull bar for completion of exercises. U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,471 also incorporates in its construction a pull string to aid in the exercising motion. The Lip Builder has no need for a pull string because the handles are angled enough to allow the hand and fingers of the operator to pull the lip exerciser away from the mouth and gums for additional comfort and aid in the exercise motion. U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,471 also incorporates two lateral sides as part of its construction where by the Lip Builder is not constructed with sides as it uses a pivoting action with hand and fingers as the resistance by the operator. The Lip Builder is designed to exercises oral lips, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,471 is registered as a rehabilitating device for chewing, swallowing and speaking.

U.S. Pat. No. 381,309 by Ralph Welch, May 28, 1974, has two pivoting points with a separated space from each other on two parallel axis. The Lip Builder has one pivoting axle shared by the two griping handles without a separating space. U.S. Pat. No. 381,309 exclusively uses a movable elastic band for its resistance exercises, where by the Lip Builder exclusively uses the operators' fingers and hand as the resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 381,309 uses a double fulcrum while the Lip Builder shares a single fulcrum with its upper and lower handles.

Patent number 2004/0166993A1 by Albert Tiberio, Aug. 8, 2004 uses a set of springs, elastic members accompanied by a screw and lock assembly for resistance lip exercises while the Lip Builder only uses the operators hand and fingers. Patent number 2004/0166993A1 claims isometric and resistance exercises with the use of lip covers, while the Lip Builder offers dynamic resistance, isometric and isotonic exercises and without the need for lip covers.

The Lip Builder is new and different as a lip exerciser, which substantially eliminates or reduces the problems associated with prior apparatus as no patents can claim hand and finger operation offering variable, resistance, isotonic and isometric exercises to the lips and facial muscles using a pivoting point, vertical motion, hand operated, and designed for the cosmetic and esthetician industry. It is unique. No other invention claims a permanent space left open upon fully closing their apparatus so that the users' lips may not be inadvertently pinched. No other invention has the front mouth piece shaped concave to fit the upper and lower gums comfortably that is made of hard medical grade plastic with the operation of the users' hand and fingers as resistance. No other invention claims a hand operated apparatus using a pivoting action that exercises the lips and facial muscles vertically and parallel. No other invention claims the use of the hands and fingers holding said device as a way of addressing the comfort level by a pulling away action of the designed wide handles from the mouth during exercising so that the lip forms would not rub against the gums or teeth of the user's mouth there by offering a less intrusive lip and facial exercising device.

No other device offers a pivoting action with a return spring that returns the apparatus to its closed position with the use of hands and fingers of its operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional pictorial view of the lip exerciser of this invention FIG. 1, Number 1 shows the placement of hand and fingers on handles for operation as the handles compress together squeezing top and bottom part (number 2) using a pivoting point so that the opposite end of the lip exerciser opens against the resistance of the upper and lower lips. It is also the point at which the user can pull the lip exerciser slightly away from the gums to eliminate any sensitivity that may be caused by rubbing against the gums.

FIG. 1, Number 2 shows the placement of the hand and fingers on handle for operation as the handles compress together squeezing the bottom and top part (number 1) together, using a pivoting point so that the opposite end of the lip exerciser opens against the resistance of the upper and lower lips. It is also the point at which the user can pull the lip exerciser slightly away from the gums to eliminate any sensitivity that may be caused by rubbing against the gums.

FIG. 1, Number 3 shows the pivoting point of the lip exerciser.

FIG. 1, Number 4 shows the upper front lip form.

FIG. 1, Number 5 shows the lower front lip form.

FIG. 1, Number 6 shows the upper rounded lip trough for comfort.

FIG. 1, Number 7 shows the lower rounded lip trough for comfort.

FIG. 1, Number 8 shows the upper front concave-shaped lip form for gum comfort.

FIG. 1, Number 9 shows the lower front concave-shaped lip form for gum comfort.

FIG. 1, Number 10 shows the permanent space opening upon fully closing the lip exerciser so that the lips are not pinched.

FIG. 1, Number 11 shows the touching closing point-stop between the top and bottom assembly.

FIG. 1, Number 12 shows the upper rear lip form.

FIG. 1, Number 13 shows the lower rear lip form.

FIG. 1, Number 14 shows the upper rear lip form.

FIG. 1, Number 15 shows the lower rear lip form.

FIG. 2 is the rear pictorial view of the pivoting point design of this invention

FIG. 2, Number 1 shows the pivoting design and its return spring assemble.

FIG. 2, Number 2 shows the spring encompassing the axle.

FIG. 2, Number 3 shows the axle pivoting point of the Lip Builder

FIG. 3 is the front pictorial view demonstrating facial muscle and oral lip exercising.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a facial lip exercising appliance in a closed state. The invention, here by known as the Lip Builder, is shown in FIG. 1. It consists of two parts, a top and bottom. FIG. 2, shows the pivoting action of operation in detail of the Lip Builder.

FIG. 1 number 1 and 2 are the points of operation. The operator squeezes with his hand and fingers part 1 and 2 together there by the unit pivots at point 3 opening up the opposite end, numbers 4 and 5. Numbers 4 and 5 is the upper and lower front lip forms which are also comprised of the lip troughs. It is this end that is placed into the mouth in front of the teeth while the lips are placed into the lip troughs numbers 14 and 15. As the operator squeezes together numbers 1 and 2, the lip troughs open vertically due to a designed fixed angle moving in an opposite direction from each other separating the upper and lower lips apart with the use of the pivoting point number 3. The user exercises by resisting the pressure of the spreading lip troughs with the lips against the pressure exerted by the user's hands and fingers by the device pivoting at point 3. Releasing the hand and finger pressure allows the user to compress the lips together and there by closing and returning the Lip Builder to its closed position only to start the process all over again. The Lip Builder stays closed when not in use by a spring FIG. 2, Number 2 circling the pivot axle FIG. 2, Number 3

The Lip Builder allows for a user to use three different methods of training: Resistance, Isometric and Isotonic. The Lip Builder allows the exercises to be completed by resistance training, isotonic training and isometric training depending on how the user exercises with the Lip Builder. If the user exercises by moving the lips apart and together against the resistance exerted by the hand and fingers he would be completing resistance exercises as the lip muscles complete a concentric muscle action and an eccentric muscle action. If the user exercises by holding the lips in one position and not move the lips against the resistance of the spreading lip troughs by the hand and fingers of the user, he would be doing isometric training. The user exercises by keeping the resistance constant against the lips with the use of his hands and fingers squeezing the Lip Builder, and the operator doesn't move the lips in a concentric or eccentric motion, but keeps a constant and equal pressure against the lips, he would be exercising using an isometric method. Resistance training of the lips allows for the hand and fingers to resist the lips as they move in a concentric and eccentric motion. The difference between Isometric and Isotonic training is that in Isometric exercising the lips are resisting a pressure against them and do not allow for any motion. Another term of use is called DCER training or Dynamic Constant External Resistance Training. DCER implies that the resistance being lifted is constant and held constant. But while doing an Isotonic exercise, the lips are resisting a variation of pressure against them while performing a Full Range of Motion in a contraction and expansion muscle movement. This can only be accomplished because the Lip builder is hand operated giving the user much control.

The Lip Builder allows for all three methods of training as per the use of the fingers and hand of the operator. Using a variation of exercises offered by the Lip Builder, various approaches to lip toning and building are acquired.

FIG. 1 Numbers 6 & 7 show an upper and lower curved trough designed to fit upper and lower lips comfortable as opposed to being sharply angled and causing discomfort for the users. The lip troughs accommodate the curvature of a person's lip such that the exerciser, FIG. 1 number 6 & 7 cannot be easily dislodged from the mouth opening.

FIG. 1 Numbers 8 & 9 shows a concave shaped mouth piece as it inserts directly into the mouth in front of the teeth and gums in a form fit. In addition, the Lip Builder can be pulled slightly away from the teeth and gums by the operator while exercising so not to rub against the gums and teeth and allow for discomfort to occur.

FIG. 1, Number 10 demonstrates that there is a constant opening or space while the Lip Builder is in a close position so that not to pinch the lips of its operator as the Lip Builder closes and begins its exercising cycle all over again. FIG. 1, Number 11 shows the connecting point of the Lip Builder in its closed position. It is this point that when closed, allows for an opening between the lip forms, numbers 4 & 5, so as not to pinch the lips of the user. The closing point is executed when the top and bottom halves close together and touch as per the releasing of the pressure-resistance of the hand and fingers of the operator.

FIG. 1, Number 12 & 13 shows the upper lip form that houses the upper lip and lower lip of the user there by keeping the upper and lower lips in their troughs while exercising. FIG. 1, Numbers 14 & 15 are the upper and lower lip forms that actually house the lips during the exercises there by keeping the lips secured in their prospective exercising position.

FIG. 2, Numbers 1, 2 and 3 shows a return spring and axle that places slight pressure on the upper and lower halves of the Lip Builder returning the device to its closed position. It is at this conjecture that the user is offered a choice of closing the Lip Builder against the resistance of his hands and fingers or allows the spring to return the apparatus to it closed position without performing the resistance exercise. The spring is not used during the exercises as the fingers and hand over power the closing spring. It's a convenient returning apparatus upon ending the operators' exercising routine as it automatically returns the Lip Builder to it closed position. FIG. 2, Number 2 shows the spring encompassing the axle that extends the width of the pivoting apparatus of the Lip Builder. FIG. 2, Number 3 shows the axle that allows the pivoting action of the Lip Builder as the upper and lower halves rotate partially around axle in order for the exercising action to be performed by the operator.

FIG. 3 shows front view demonstrating facial muscle and oral lip exercising. In accordance with a primary feature of the invention, the Lip Builder may also be easily rinsed for cleaning.

It's made of medical grade Poly Propylene or any equal rigid plastic with a smooth uninterrupted surface area. From the foregoing, it can be seen that a very effective, economical and easily manufactured exerciser is provided.

Although the invention has been described above with a certain degree of particularity with respect to the components and arrangements thereof, it should be understood that this disclosure has been made by way of example only. Consequently, changes in the details of the construction and in the arrangement of the elements will be apparent to those familiar with the art, and may be adjusted without departing from the scope of the invention as described above. 

1. A lip and facial exerciser, and of the type having lip engaging pieces for engaging the lips of a person's mouth with hand operated expandable means for expanding and closing lips apart vertically and parallel for exercising purposes, the improvement comprising of: two, wide, finger and hand, angled, operating handles, pivoting over an axle with a return spring, having two forms in which to place your lips, specifically angled to allow a parallel, vertical movement, lip and facial exerciser, allowing a full range of motion, offering variable, resistance, isometric, and isotonic facial and lip exercises.
 2. A facial and lip exerciser of claim 1 whereby the angle of the upper and lower gripping handles are specifically angled to allow the user to pull away the oral exercising device from the teeth and gums to avoid the irritation of rubbing upon exercising.
 3. A facial and lip exerciser of claim 1 that is hand operated supporting 3 types of variable resistance exercises: Resistance, Isometric, and Isotonic.
 4. According to claim 1, the lip forms are designed so that the handles close with two points of contacts behind the lip forms and away from the facial lips, so the forms do not touch together in the closed position while exercising, to avoid the risk of pinching the user's lips upon fully closing the device.
 5. According to claim 1, the wide design of the device's handles is wide enough to grasp with hand and fingers to avoid a left and right rocking motion.
 6. According to claim 1, device pivots on an axle in a clothespin action with the use of the operators hand and fingers as the resistance on the handles opposite the lips. 